10-month Fixed-Term Contract | Hybrid | Cockermouth & Oxford
Createc is an innovative technology business developing advanced robotics, sensing and software solutions for complex and high-risk environments. Its commercial model spans consultancy-led projects, integrated technology solutions, proprietary products and strategic technology partnerships.
Rullion has been appointed to identify an experienced Interim Head of Sales & Commercial Operations to lead Createc's commercial function during a period of maternity cover.
This is a hands-on leadership role with responsibility for Sales, Bids, Partnerships and Marketing, with a clear focus on delivering sales targets, strengthening team performance and building greater consistency and predictability across the commercial pipeline.
The opportunity
Createc operates within specialist, technically complex markets including nuclear, defence and security. Sales are typically consultative, relationship-led and involve longer sales cycles, so this requires a commercial leader comfortable operating in a sophisticated technical environment rather than a high-volume transactional sales model.
The successful candidate will take day-to-day ownership of commercial performance, working closely with the sales team to progress opportunities, improve pipeline quality and forecasting, strengthen sales discipline and ensure individual objectives translate into measurable activity and results.
You will also bring Sales, Bids and Marketing together as an integrated commercial function, ensuring resources and activity are focused on the opportunities, customers and propositions most likely to drive growth.
Key responsibilities
- Lead and coach the sales team against clear individual and company objectives.
- Take accountability for agreed sales and order-intake targets.
- Improve pipeline quality, opportunity qualification and forecasting through effective use of HubSpot.
- Personally support strategically important or challenging customer opportunities.
- Establish a consistent rhythm of sales meetings, pipeline reviews and individual coaching.
- Identify capability and performance gaps and implement practical improvements.
- Lead the Bids function and support effective bid/no-bid decisions.
- Work with technical and operational teams to create compelling and commercially viable customer propositions.
- Oversee Marketing activity and ensure it contributes effectively to demand generation and commercial growth.
- Support pricing, negotiations and commercial decisions, with appropriate consideration of margin, risk and delivery capability.
What we're looking for
We are interested in experienced commercial leaders with a strong track record of leading B2B sales teams and improving sales performance.
You are likely to bring:
- Significant sales or commercial leadership experience.
- A demonstrable record of delivering sales and order-intake targets.
- Strong experience coaching, developing and performance-managing salespeople.
- Experience of complex, consultative or solution-led sales.
- Strong pipeline management, forecasting and CRM discipline.
- Experience personally progressing significant opportunities and negotiating with customers.
- Experience working closely with Bids and Marketing.
- Good commercial understanding across pricing, margin, contractual risk and delivery.
- Confidence working alongside technical specialists and translating complex capabilities into customer value.
Experience within engineering, robotics, advanced technology, industrial automation, technical consultancy, nuclear, defence, security or another regulated environment would be particularly relevant, although direct sector experience is desirable rather than essential.
The person
This role will suit somebody who is practical, energetic and comfortable getting involved. Createc needs a leader who enjoys coaching people, joining customer conversations and helping teams move opportunities forward rather than directing from a distance.
There is an established commercial strategy and the priority is not wholesale reinvention. The opportunity is to improve execution, strengthen accountability, develop the team and maintain commercial momentum, leaving behind a stable and effective commercial operation at the end of the assignment.
Contract: 10-month fixed-term maternity cover
Location: Hybrid, with regular attendance at Createc offices in Cockermouth and Oxford
Salary: TBC
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Interim Head of Sales & Commercial Operations in Cockermouth employer: Createc
Createc is an exceptional employer located in the picturesque Cockermouth, Cumbria, offering a unique opportunity to lead innovation in advanced technologies such as robotics and AI. With a strong focus on employee growth, a collaborative work culture, and a commitment to turning groundbreaking ideas into scalable products, Createc empowers its team to make impactful decisions while enjoying a hybrid working environment. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking company that values creativity and commercial success, all while surrounded by the stunning landscapes of the Lake District.
